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Borussia Dortmund vs PSG - Champions League: Live score, team news and latest updates as Kylian Mbappe looks to secure a Champions League final for the first time since 2020 for the French side

6 months ago 36

By Harry Bamforth

Published: 18:00 BST, 1 May 2024 | Updated: 18:54 BST, 1 May 2024

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Teams arrive in Dortmund

Right, the excitement is really building now.

Both PSG and Borussia Dortmund have arrived at Signal Iduna Park for their monster clash.

Kylian Mbappe is looking sharp and focused, he will once again be key tonight.

Who will be starting for both sides? We will find out shortly.

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on May 01, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

 Lucas Hernandez of Paris Saint-Germain arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on May 01, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

 Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on May 01, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Should Jadon Sancho stay at Dortmund?

Jadon Sancho has refound the form that led him to leave Borussia Dortmund for Manchester United since his return to the club on loan.

It is clear that he is adored by the BVB faithful, and he also certainly loves playing for them.

Mail Sport has been asking fans outside Signal Iduna Park whether they would like Sancho to make his load permanent.

The answer is very clear, watch for yourselves.

A sea of yellow

Wow, the crowd outside of the stadium is never-ending.

It really is like a blanket of yellow shirts has been laid down all around Signal Iduna Park.

It is extremely impressive. The excitement must be rushing through all of them right now.

It's a huge night.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Borussia Dortmund v Paris St Germain - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - May 1, 2024 Borussia Dortmund fans arrive at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler

Soccer Football - Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Borussia Dortmund v Paris St Germain - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - May 1, 2024 Borussia Dortmund fans with flares outside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler

Mbappe seeking UCL half-century

It feels like just yesterday that Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene in the Champions League as an 18-year-old at Monaco.

Well, the French superstar is now just two goals away from hitting 50 goals in the Champions League. Time really does fly.

This season has been his joint-best in the competition in terms of goals, he has scored eight so far which equals his tally in the 2020-21 campaign.

He has scored a brace in each of his last two Champions League away games, if he does that tonight, he will become just the ninth player to hit a half-century of goals in the competition history.

If he wants that fairytale ending with PSG, he will have to be on top form tonight.

 Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #07 Kylian Mbappe during a training session on the eve of their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match against Borussia Bortmund at the Signal Iduna Stadium in Dortmund, western Germany on April 30, 2024..(Photo by Christian Liewig - Corbis/Getty Images)

Away support in full voice

Mail Sport's Craig Hope, is in Dortmund for tonight's game.

Just take a look at some of the footage he has managed to grab of the PSG supporters approaching the stadium.

Incredible stuff, the close-up videos only enhance my excitement from seeing the club's post.

Luis Enrique: ‘It will be spectacular’

Luis Enrique, PSG boss, speaking on Tuesday:

I think going out would be a disappointment for any of the four teams left in the semi-finals. It’s not any different for us! PSG immense favourites? It’s proof that the press knows nothing about football (laughs). It’s nice to be able to enjoy a special match, in a unique atmosphere, to try and arrive in the final.
I think this tie will be similar to the quarter-finals. We’re not a cagey team, Dortmund is the same. We are going to try and win this match with our football. I think it will be spectacular, there will definitely be goals given the ability of both teams to create chances. We are improving, we are at the start of our project. There is one month left of the season and we are still in all competitions. We will have to manage these emotions, handle the pressure, and be ambitious. We can’t start to see the pressure as a threat.

Soccer Football - Champions League - Paris St Germain Press Conference - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - April 30, 2024 Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique during the press conference REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler

Edin Terzic: ‘We may have the greatest hunger’

Edin Terzic, Borussia Dortmund boss, speaking on Tuesday:

The project in Paris began with the goal of winning the Champions League. That's been their main objective for a decade. Maybe we're the team with less experience, but we may have the greatest hunger.
When everyone digs in, not just those on the field and on the bench but everyone in the stadium, we've got a huge opportunity - and we need to take it.

 Head Coach Edin Terzic of Borussia Dortmund speaks to the media during the Press Conference ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match against Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on April 30, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Hendrik Deckers/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)

PSG fans making noise

Wow, the PSG fans mean business tonight.

The Parisians are always a loud bunch and usually bring the atmosphere everywhere they go.

Pair that with the noise from the yellow wall, and it could be a loud one tonight at Signal Iduna Park.

The prospect is exciting me.

PSG’s dream continues in Dortmund

When people think of PSG they mainly think of their shortcomings and not their successes.

The Parisians have always had a side full of superstars, many of the biggest names in football such as Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr have adorned the colours of the French club.

However, despite all the star power they have possessed over the last decade or so, the one thing they have been desperate to win has evaded them. That’s right, the Champions League trophy.

They came close four years ago, making it to the final before an agonising 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in an empty Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. A real low point for the club.

The Parisians have had so many near misses, but it has never truly felt like they would make the step to get their hands on good old ‘big ears’. That feeling has changed this year.

This side seems different. They are not just Kylian Mbappe and friends, the team work for each other and work for the badge.

Win tonight, and they are one step closer to their dream.

 Kylian Mbappe, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Danilo of Paris Saint-Germain react after winning the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)

Last night in Munich

I simply had to bring up last night, it was a sensational match.

Bayern Munich and Real Madrid never disappoint, and once again, they provided us with another action-packed night of European football.

It was 90 minutes that swung one way and then the other. Real Madrid hit Bayern Munich with a first-half sucker punch through Vinicius Jr and at half-time were in the ascendancy.

However, that changed fairly quickly when the hosts turned the game on its head within 12 minutes of the second half after Leroy Sane and Harry Kane both found the back of the net.

The Bavarians should have killed the 14-time winners off, but they didn’t, and of course, Madrid had to have the final say.

Vinicius Jr netted from the spot with seven minutes left to play to make sure there is nothing to separate the two sides leading into next week. You'd have to say that it is advantage Real Madrid now.

If tonight is anything like what we saw at the Allianz Arena, we are in for a treat.

 Harry Kane of FC Bayern Muenchen celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid at Allianz Arena on April 30, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

 Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his sides second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between FC Bayern München and Real Madrid at Allianz Arena on April 30, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

How did they get here?

Right then, I think we should take a look at how both sides got to the semi-final stage.

As we know, both sides came through group F, which contained AC Milan and Newcastle United. Dortmund topped the group with 11 points while PSG finished second with eight. Now let’s take a closer look at their knockout stage results (we will display the aggregate scores):

  • Round of 16: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 3-1 PSV & Real Sociedad 1-4 PSG
  • Quarter-final: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 5-4 Atletico Madrid & Barcelona 4-6 PSG

These two both served us up cracking ties in the quarter-finals, both making comebacks from first-leg deficits to edge out high-scoring thrillers.

If they provide us with another belter, we will all be smiling.

 Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund celebrates victory after the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid at Signal Iduna Park on April 16, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)

Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - FC Barcelona v Paris St Germain - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - April 16, 2024 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe with teammates celebrate after the match REUTERS/Juan Medina

De ja vu in Dortmund

Something feels a little bit familiar about this fixture…

Oh yes, I know why, because they have already faced each other twice in the Champions League campaign.

Both Borussia Dortmund and PSG were drawn into group F, which was seen as the ‘group of death’ at the time. They just about made it out alive.

They faced each other in the first and last game weeks of the group stage, with PSG coming out on top 2-0 at the Parc des Princes on matchday one, while it finished one goal apiece at Signal Iduna Park in the reverse fixture.

However, that was then and this is the now. PSG, in particular, feel like a different prospect from earlier in the campaign. I doubt the matches earlier in the season are anything to go by.

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and they will both be feeling good (I’m sorry).

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain is challenged by Nico Schlotterbeck of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on December 13, 2023 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

 Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates after scoring the team's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on September 19, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

Ready for round two?

As Abba sing in ‘Mamma Mia’, here we go again…

I’ve only just about recovered from last night’s thriller and now it’s time to do it all over again. I’m certainly not complaining.

We are staying in Germany this evening after last night’s exploits in Munich as Borussia Dortmund play host to PSG at Signal Iduna Park.

Last night is certainly a tough act to follow from an enjoyment perspective, but these two sides certainly know how to entertain the fans. The Champions League always delivers.

Right then, are you ready? Cause I am. Let’s get this show on the road.

 A general view of the Adidas Finale London ball on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on May 01, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

 General view of branding inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain at Signal Iduna Park on May 01, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

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